Weep hole construction for windows and the like



April 1967 H. M. RIEGELMAN 3,314,201

WEEP HOLE CONSTRUCTION FOR WINDOWS AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 25, 1964 47 i .45 y '2 3 3! 5a 2a 1 62 64 INVENTOR. Aees M @2551 M4/V IBM/M M /4rrae/va5 United States Patent 3,314,201 WEEP HOLE CONSTRUCTIQN FOR WINDOWS AND THE LIKE Hmry M. Riegelrnan, Rolling Hills, Calif., assignor to Ador Corporation, Fullerton, Califi, a corporation of California Filed Nov. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 413,052 5 Claims. (Cl. 52-209) This invention relates generally to window constructions and the like, and more particularly to a new and improved weep hole construction in the frames used for mounting laterally sliding vent panels.

In windows and doors using sliding or rolling vent panels, there is usually provided a metallic frame construction in which the head, sill and jambs are commonly made of extruded aluminum members. The head and sill members are formed with channels having vertical walls or flanges to accommodate and mount both the sliding or rolling panel and the fixed panel. Such constructions cannot avoid the collection of some water due to condensation and rain in the channels of the sill. In order to permit drainage of liquid collecting in the channels of the sill, the floor of the sill is sloped and properly positioned weep holes are normally provided in a staggered arrangement in the flanges or walls of the channels in the sill. Runoff of liquid trapped in the channels is thus possible, and the staggered arrangement of the weep holes prevents a direct inward flow of wind, sand, dust, water and the like.

A staggered arrangement of weep holes is possible, of course, only where there are two channels having an inside and an outside flange, and a common flange between the two channels. A staggered arrangement of weep holes is possible because weep holes can be placed in the common flange as well 'as the outer flange. However, where only a single channel is used or available, weep holes can only be placed in the outer flange, and a staggered arrangement of weep holes is not available to prevent the direct inward flow of wind, sand, dust or water. In this instance, the Weep holes are normally made much smaller which results in less effectiveness in rapid drainage or removal of condensation or rain.

Another approach to the problem of providing weep holes in only a single flange of the sill has been to use larger weep holes and to provide a cover flap overlying the weep holes to prevent inward flow of water or dirt, etc., while being adapted to pivot away from the weep holes under the influence of water attempting to flow outwardly through the weep holes. In essence, therefore, such a cover flap performs the function of a flapper valve for regulating flow through the weep holes. Unfortunately, however, such flapper v'alves have not always provided the desired flow regulation under all conditions of rain, condensation and wind loading to which the window in which the valve is mounted may be subjected.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved weep hole construction which overcomes the above and other disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object is to provide in the sill of a window frame a new and improved weep hole construction for permitting rapid drainage of condensation and rain collected within the channels of the sill and yet prevent any inward flow of wind, said, dust or water.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved weep hole construction wherein the resistance of the weep hole cover flap to deflection by water passing outwardly through the weep hole is reduced.

Still another object is the provision of a new and improved weep hole construction wherein the weep hole Patented Apr. 18, 1967 cover flap is capable of providing a more effective seal during heavy rain or high winds.

The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings of an illustrative embodiment thereof, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a window embodying a weep hole construction in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view, taken along the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1, and illustrating the structural details of the new and improved weep hole construction of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE 1 thereof, there is shown a window frame 10 which is set in the usual manner within an appropriate opening in a building wall 12. The frame 10 is preferably fabricated from extruded aluminum head, sill and jamb frame members 14, 15, 16 and 17, respectively, which are suitably formed to provide cooperating flanges, ridges and channels which engage and accommodate the rail and stile members of a sliding panel 19, a fixed panel 20 and any number of additional sliding and fixed panels (not shown).

The frame of each panel is also preferably fabricated from extruded aluminum frame members such as the left and right stile members 22, 23 and upper and lower rail members 24, 25, respectively, of the sliding panel 19.

As best observed in FIGURE 2, the sliding panel 19 is mounted between a pair of vertical sill flanges 29 and 31. In this connection, the panel 19 is provided with a pair of bottom rollers 33 which ride along the top of an upturned lip 35 at the end of a horizontal ledge 37 extending from the sill flange 31. Similarly, the fixed panel 20 is mounted between the sill flange 31 and an outer sill flange 39 extending vertically from 'a horizontal ledge 41 projecting from another sill flange 43 (FIGURE 1). Both of the panels 19 and 20 are provided with weather strips 45, 47, respectively, which extend between each panel and a portion of the sill flange 31.

It will be apparent in FIGURE 2 that the sill 15 has a downwardly sloping floor 27 to enhance the runoff of liquid collected in the channels of the sill. A plurality of substantially rectangular weep holes 50 are provided in the sill flange 31 at the bottom of the latter flange. The weep holes 50 are spaced apart along the entire length of the sill flange 31, and each weep hole meets with the sloping floor 27 of the sill 15.

A relatively thin, flexible flapper valve 52 is mounted upon the outer surface of the sill flange 31. The flapper valve 52 extends the entire length of the flange 31 to cover the weep holes 50 and regulate the flow of liquid escaping through the weep holes. Any liquid which flows through the weep holes 50 and is passed by the flapper valve 52 is permitted to escape to the outside of the window 10 through a plurality of additional weep holes 54 in the sill flange 43.

The flange 39 and ledge 41 cooperate to shield the weep hole and flapper valve construction from view and to prevent the collection of clogging material in front of the weep holes. The ledge 41 is also provided with an outer, vertical flange 56 upon which a screen or storm sash (not shown) may be mounted.

The upper end of the flapper valve 52 is provided with an enlarged, substantially rectangular mounting head 58 extending the full length of the valve. The head 58 engages a mating channel or pocket defined by a pair of ledges 60, 61, and a flange 62 integral with the sill flange 31 above the weep holes 50. The rectangular configuration of the mounting head 48 and the channel in which it is mounted keys the flapper valve 52 to a specific angle with respect to the sill flange 31. As will hereinafter become apparent, the main body of the flapper valve 52 forms an angle of substantially 45 with the sill flange 31 when the valve is installed upon the flange.

The flapper valve 52 is reduced in thickness immediately adjacent the mounting bead 58. This establishes a flapper valve pivot axis at 62, since maximum flexibility occurs at the thinnest portion of the flapper valve.

The transverse length of the flapper valve 52, as seen in FIGURE 2, is sufficient so that the lower end 66 of of the valve contacts the sloping floor 27 of the sill 15. The end 66 of the valve 52 is slightly curved and, by virtue of surface tension, a seal is produced between the lower end of the flapper valve and the sill floor.

The static sealing pressure between the valve 52 and the sill floor 27 may be fairly accurately controlled by preloading the valve against the sill floor. This is accomplished by designing the flapper valve so that, if the lower end 66 of the valve 52 did not intersect the sloping sill floor 27, the valve would normally assume an angle with respect to the sill flange 31 which is less than the angle actually assumed by the valve upon installation. Hence, when the end of the valve 52 contacts the sill floor 27, a torsional moment or preload is established in the valve 52 about its pivot axis 64.

The installation of the flapper valve 52 at an angle with respect to the sill flange 31 such that the valve does not directly overlie the weep hole 50, provides more uniform valve action due to the pocket 68 defined in front of the weep holes by the valve, the sill floor 27, and the flange 31. Because of the pocket 68, liquid passing through the weep holes 50 builds up to a uniform level along the entire length of the flapper valve 52, rather than building up only at localized portions of the valve adjacent each individual weep hole.

Mounting of the flapper valve 52 so that it forms an acute angle with the sill flange 31 not only allows liquid passing through the weep holes 50 to be distributed over the entire length of the valve, but provides a longer moment arm about the pivot axis 62 so that the flapper valve is more easily deflected by runoff liquid escaping through the weep holes. Typically, the static sealing pressure at the lower end 66 of the flapper valve 52 is equivalent to the pressure head produced by approximately A of an inch of water trapped in the sill channels. As soon as the liquid buildup exceeds this level, the sealing pressure of the flapper valve 52 is exceeded, and the valve is deflected to allow runofl liquid to escape through the weep holes 54 in the outer sill flange 43. The increased moment arm also increases the sealing pressure of the flapper valve for any given wind loading condition.

The greater the angle between the flapper valve 52 and the sill flange 31, the less angular swing of the valve required :to produce a given vertical displacement of the lower end 66 of the valve above the sill floor 27. Since torsional loading of the flapper valve 52 about its pivotal axis 62 increases with increased angular deflection of the valve, it is desirable to minimize this angular deflection so that the pressure head required to produce the prescribed vertical displacement of the lower end 66 of the valve will not be excessive.

However, while increasing the angle of the flapper valve 52 with respect to the still flange 31 has the aforedescribed advantages with respect to ease of deflection of the valve by run-off liquid and enhanced sealing under wind loading, excessively large angles tend to adversely affect sealing of the valve under static conditions. The reason for this is that large angles place a greater portion of the area at the lower end 66 of the flexible valve in contact with the sill floor 27, with the result that surface tension may cause the lower end of the valve to stick to the sill and thereby produce erratic valve operation. In this connection, it has been determined experimentally that a flapper valve angle in the range of 4050 (with a preferred angle of 45), produces the most reliable flapper valve action over the wide range of weather conditions to which the window 10 may be subjected.

As best observed in FIGURE '2, during heavy rain conditions, water rolling down the outer surface of the flapper valve 52 and out through the weep holes 54 will exert additional pressure upon the valve to further increase its sealing pressure.

The height of the upper end 70 of the sill flange 31 above the sill floor 27 is selected so that the pressure head produced by this level of liquid is suflicient to overcome the flapper valve seal under a specific predetermined pressure differential or wind loading. This obviates the danger of liquid spilling over the flange 29 into the interior of the building.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while a particular form of my invention has been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. For example, while the weep hole construction of the present invention has been described in connection with a window having a laterally movable vent panel, this is by way of illustration only, and the construction is, of course, useful in other structures wherein rapid and effectively regulated outward drainage of liquid is desired while preventing an inward flow of wind, sand, dust or water. Accordingly, I do not intend that my invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

I claim: 1. In a window frame including a sill having a downwardly sloping upper surface and an upright flange disposed longitudinally upon said upper surface of said sill, a weep hole construction comprising:

at least one aperture provided in said flange, said aperture meeting with the upper surface of said sill;

and a flexible flapper valve aflixed along one end thereof to said flange above said aperture for covering said aperture, said flapper valve extending from said flange into contact with said upper surface of said sill and forming an angle of between 40 and 50 with said flange.

2. In a window frame including a sill having a down wardly sloping upper surface and an upright flange disposed longitudinally upon said upper surface of said sill,

a weep hole construction comprising:

at least one aperture provided in said flange, said aperture meeting with the upper surface of said sill;

a longitudinal mounting channel provided in said flange above said aperture;

and a flexible flapper valve having an enlarged bead at one end inserted into said channel and secured thereto, the shape of said bead being such that said bead is keyed against rotation within said mounting channel, said flapper valve extending from said mounting channel to said upper surface of said sill and forming an angle of between 40 and 50 with said flange.

3. An arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein the thickness of said flapper valve adjacent said bead is reduced to provide a pivot axis for said valve.

4. A weep hole construction, comprising:

a sill having a downwardly sloping upper surface;

a substantially vertical flange extending from the upper surface of said sill;

a plurality of weep hole apertures provided in said flange along the length thereof, the lower edge of each aperture meeting with said upper surface of said sill;

means integral with said flange for defining a mounting channel above said weep hole apertures;

and a flexible flapper valve having an enlarged bead at its upper end inserted into said mounting channel and secured thereto along the length of said channel, the shape of said mounting bead being such that said bead is keyed against rotation within said mounting channel, said valve covering said weep hole apertures and having its lower end in abutment with said upper surface of said sill, said valve forming an angle of between 40 and 50 with said flange and being preloaded to bias the lower end of said valve against the upper surface of said sill.

5. A weep hole construction, comprising:

a sill having a downwardly sloping upper surface;

a first flange extending substantially vertically from said upper surface of said sill;

a plurality of weep hole apertures provided in said flange along the length thereof, the lower edge of each aperture meeting with said upper surface of said sill;

means integral with said flange for defining a mounting channel above said weep hole apertures;

a flexible flapper valve having an enlarged bead at its upper end inserted into said mounting channel and secured thereto along the length of said channel, the shape of said mounting bead being such that said bead is keyed against rotation within said mounting channel, said valve covering said weep hole apertures and having its lower end in abutment with said upper surface of said sill, said valve forming an angle of between 40 and 50 with said flange and being preloaded to bias the lower end of said valve against the upper surface of said sill, said flapper valve being of reduced thickness adjacent said bead to provide a pivot axis for said valve adjacent said bead;

and a second flange extending from the upper surface of said sill on the opposite side of said valve from said first flange, said second flange having a plurality of weep hole apertures therein to permit escape of liquid passed by said flapper valve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,891,290 6/1959 Hauck 52209 3,091,008 5/1963 Riegelman 20-70 3,199,156 8/1965 Riegelman 52209 X 20 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Examiner.

A. I. BREIER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A WINDOW FRAME INCLUDING A SILL HAVING A DOWNWARDLY SLOPING UPPER SURFACE AND AN UPRIGHT FLANGE DISPOSED LONGITUDINALLY UPON SAID UPPER SURFACE OF SAID SILL, A WEEP HOLE CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING: AT LEAST ONE APERTURE PROVIDED IN SAID FLANGE, SAID APERTURE MEETING WITH THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID SILL; AND A FLEXIBLE FLAPPER VALVE AFFIXED ALONG ONE ENED THEREOF TO SAID FLANGE ABOVE SAID APERTURE FOR COVERING SAID APERTURE, SAID FLAPPER VALVE EXTENDING FROM SAID FLANGE INTO CONTACT WITH SAID UPPER SURFACE OF SAID SILL AND FORMING AN ANGLE OF BETWEEN 40* AND 50* WITH SAID FLANGE. 